time one had been _living away_, unconsciously, was thrown
in a lump at one's head.

J---- F---- told me on Thursday that her sister, whose wedding-day
seemed to be about yesterday, was the mother of four children; she
has lost no time, it is true, but my "yesterday" must be five years
old. After dinner, yesterday, I wrote a new last scene to "Francis
I." I mean to send it to Murray.

A---- says you seem younger to her than I do; which, considering
your fourteen years' seniority over me, is curious; but the truth
is, though she does not know it, I am still _too young_; I have not
lived, experienced, and suffered enough to have acquired the
self-forgetfulness and gentle forbearance that make us good and
pleasant companions to our _youngers_.

Henry and I are going together to the Zoological Gardens one of
these days; that lovely tigress hangs about my heart, and I must go
and see her again. Ever your affectionate

F.A. KEMBLE.

GREAT RUSSELL STREET, March 9, 1831.
MY DEAR H----,

Why are you not here to kiss and congratulate me? I am so proud and
happy! Mr. Murray has given me four hundred and fifty pounds for my
play alone! the other things he does not wish to publish with it.
Only think of it--was there ever such publishing munificence! My
father has the face to say _it is not enough!_ but looks so proud
and pleased that his face alone shows it is _too much_ by a great
deal; my mother is enchanted, and I am so happy, so thankful for
this prosperous result of my work, so delighted at earning so much,
so surprised and charmed to think that what gave me nothing but
pleasure in the doing has brought me such an after-harvest of
profit; it is too good almost to be true, and yet it is true.

But I am happy and have been much excited from another reason
to-day. Richard Trench, John's dear friend and companion, is just
returned from Spain, and came here this morning to see us. I sat
with him a long while. John is well and in good spirits. Mr. Trench
before leaving Gibraltar had used every persuasion to induce my
brother to return with him, and had even got him on board the
vessel in which they were to sail, but John's heart failed him at
the thought of fors